Research Summary

To understand the role of nuclear receptors, mutations in the mouse including cell-specific and inducible mutations have been generated. This approach allowed to define e.g. a role of the glucocorticoid receptor in control of body weight (Figure 1), of the mineralocorticoid receptor in behavioural plasticity, and established the mechanism of positive feedback of the estradiol receptor in the brain. The orphan receptor tailless is crucial for neurogenesis in the adult and is involved in brain tumor formation (Figure 2).